Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-07-06
A STRANGE STORY.

Inc room WAS one o. UuOS0 udI-
monlous little bowers often seen in
these esthetic days. Nora had fallen
In love with the description of g. VIC
let boudoir, and when her taste was
consulted about her own boudoir she
uuhesitatingly declared it should be
hung and furnished IN shades OF pur-
pie from the deepest to the palest, and
it Was done
On this afternoon her own dress
harmonized with the room. Violet
silk and velvet trained over the purple
carpet, and band OF sparkling anne
thYst violets bound her golden hair.
Even the air was laden with the faint
fragrance Of fresh flowers.
Nora was seated at the piano play
ing, while Phillip Leighton leaned his
fair head against the dark damask
of an easy chair, and listened with
half-closed eyes. His violin lay low
ingly against his heart and his long,
slender "violin hand" still carelessly
held the bow.
"Play No l of the Lieder," he said,
as she paused, with faint, inquir-
ing chord-"the one they call Sweet
Remembrance
She shivered slightly and opened
her lips to refuse, then resolutely
turning, she began to play. Philips
eyes were open now, and he watched
her closely, as, with tIgnt-shut mouth
and sad, strained eyes she played it
through with rare feeling, but evident
pain. Like q flash there passed
through his mind the thought OF g.
cruel wind driving before 1.-two forms
with faces he knew. As the last note
died away Nora arose so pale and
wan that Philip started 10 his feet,
looking at Ger in surprise; but almost
Instantly her color returned, and she
laughed lightly.
81 once read" he said quietly, as he
reseated himself in his purple chair,
"a, very strange story about every
one having g. key note. A certain
note in the scale denominated over
them IN Some mysterious fashion,
and every one who discovered this
possessed a singular power over the
person who responded to it. The
story pretended that this was univer-
sal. think it fanciful myself, though
| have never tried to prove it. I am
certain, however, that [ have found
b omOination OF sounds which has
strange effect upon you, Nora. Why
do you never play that piece without
evident suffering?"
Again q slight shudder passed over
her; but, after moments hesitation.
she replied:
II do not know. That it is so is
true, and although [ an unconscious
Of changing color, know that, too, is
so; for, after playing it, people have
sometimes come up and offered me g.
fan or vinaigretUe, as ii they thought
me faint"
"What does it make you think OFF,"
he asked.
"Of the wind. Whoever named it
tDoux Souvenir must haveh had differ
ent ears from mine. It also makes
me think OF, or see g picture -
resenUing--"
1.-Two shadowy figures driven by
the wind. Such sad, sad looks they
turn on one or the other, but sadness
full OF longing, lingering love-"
This time he, too, turned pale. He
rose.
"My dear Nora," he said, "this is
growing absurd. Absolutely I begin
to feel myself shiver. Come, accom-
pany me; let US play it together"
Complying at once, she went to the
piano. Once or twice she raised her
eyes to his face beseechingly, as if
in ploring him to stop, but he was
mercileesly determined TO fight away
this something" and he held her to
the very last. Softly, family the
naurmuring wind sounds died away,
until they blended in silence; but as
he turned TO chide her playfully, her
eyes looked dimly into his, then
closed as she tainted In his arms.
Neither had noticed her father, who,
drawn by the music, had been stand
ing IN the curtained doorway. He
hurried in as his daughter fell, and
taking ner somewhat abruptly from
Philips arms, said a. word to him,
and the young man retired. A mo-
ment after Nora opened her eyes in
vague wonder, and seeing her fathers
face could recall nothing of what had
passed. He gently explained:
81 was just going to call your
mother" ne added; but since you are
better-come, take turn up and
down with me; there, now, your color
is coming. Nora [ will take this op-
portunity to say that | do not wish
you 60 see go much Of Philip
"Oh, papa, ne has nothing to do
with my fainting-nothing at ALL"
''Do you know" said her father,
slowly. "all the circumstances of
Philips life?"
"'No!" she answered frankly; 81 do
not. only know there is something
painful in MS past about which no
ne speaks"
ut concerns a woman" began her
father, and then he hesitated.
papa" said Nora, '<if you wish to
tell me any thing, whatever it may be,
dc not be afraid OF agitating me.
Philip has never made love to me-is
nothing to me, as you seem to fear"
"Ah them" In g. tone of relief, "you
ought TO know the story. Philip is
married and his wife Is supposed to
be living"
In spite OF herself, Nora shivered
and turned pale.